MLB: Moran, O'Grady and Panik off to strong starts in 2018; Koehler is hurt

New Rochelle native Tom Koehler signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
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There were six players from the Lower Hudson Valley who appeared in a Major League Baseball game last year, perhaps the most ever for one season. But with the 2018 season underway, there have been notable changes for all but one of the six.

Three of the local pros came out of Spring Training with big-league jobs, but two were assigned to the minors and one began the season on the disabled list.

Where to find Harrison in 2018: After making his Major League debut last July, Bader went on to receive 85 at-bats with the Cardinals, hitting .235 with three homers and 10 RBI. His chances of making the big-league club were hurt during the offseason when St. Louis acquired all-star outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins. On March 23, the 23-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Memphis, where he is expected to be a key player and man center field.

Patrick Kivlehan

(Photo: The Associated Press)

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Hometown: West Nyack

High school: St. Joseph's in Montvale, NJ (‘08)

Position: Utility

Where to find Patrick in 2018: Kivlehan spent his first full season in the Majors last year, hitting nine homers in 178 at-bats while showing the ability to play multiple positions in the infield and outfield. But on March 16, the 28-year-old was assigned to Triple-A Louisville and will now have to earn his way back onto the big-league roster. Reds manager Bryan Price told Cincinnati.com that Kivlehan was his “toughest” cut of the spring. “My feeling is he needs to get regular playing time because I think he can do a ton of things to help the club,” Price added. “He runs well, he defends well, he’s got power and he’s a gem to have on the team.”

Tom Koehler

(Photo: The Associated Press)

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Hometown: New Rochelle

High school: New Rochelle (‘04)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Where to find Tom in 2018: After a tumultuous 2017 season in which he was demoted and eventually traded by the Miami Marlins, the organization which had drafted him in 2008, Koehler signed a 1-year, $2 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. It appeared the Dodgers planned to put the 31-year-old in their bullpen and give him a chance to revive his career, but Koehler strained his shoulder capsule early in Spring Training and began the season on the 10-day disabled list. He’s expected to be out longer than that, though the timetable remains unclear.

Colin Moran

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Colin Moran (19) hits a grand slam home run against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at PNC Park.(Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport)

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Hometown: Rye

High school: Iona Prep (‘10)

Position: Third base

Where to find Colin in 2018: Moran was acquired from the Houston Astros during the offseason as a part of the trade in which the Pirates dealt star pitcher Gerrit Cole. While Moran was blocked by a talented collection of infielders with the world champion Astros, Pittsburgh seems like a good landing spot for the 25-year-old. He earned the job as the Pirates’ starting third baseman and made a big splash in Monday’s home opener by hitting a first-inning grand slam.

Chris O’Grady

(Photo: The Associated Press)

Team: Miami Marlins

Hometown: Congers

High school: Clarkstown North ('08)

Position: Left-handed pitcher

Where to find Chris in 2018: After nearly ending his professional baseball career at the beginning of the 2017 season, O’Grady decided to take one last shot when the Marlins came calling in May. It resulted in a dream season, with the 27-year-old excelling in the minors and making his MLB debut on July 8. He finished the season with a 4.36 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched. O’Grady began this season in the Marlins’ bullpen, posting three scoreless appearances so far entering Monday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox.

Joe Panik

(Photo: The Associated Press)

Team: San Francisco Giants

Hometown: Born in Yonkers, raised in Hopewell Junction

High school: John Jay-East Fishkill (‘08)

Position: Second baseman

Where to find Joe in 2018: At this point, Panik is the most established big-leaguer of any player from the Lower Hudson Valley. He was an all-star in 2015, hit .288 with 10 homers and 53 RBI last season and is off to a roaring start in 2018. Panik homered in each of the Giants’ first two games — one off Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw and another off Dodgers’ closer Kenley Jansen — and was hitting an even .400 heading into Monday’s off day.